2026 Texas gubernatorial election

Voting for the 2026 Texas gubernatorial election will take place November 3, 2026, to elect the Governor of Texas. Incumbent Greg Abbott (R) is seeking election to serve a fourth consecutive term, which began with his initial election as the 48th Governor of Texas in 2014.^[1][2] Primary elections are scheduled for March 3, 2026.^[1]

As of October 2025, no major polls have been conducted, but early indicators suggest Abbott holds a strong advantage in the Republican primary and general election.^[3]

Background[edit | edit source]

Texas governors serve four-year terms with no formal term limits, though no incumbent has served more than three terms since the office’s establishment. Greg Abbott was first elected in 2014 after previously serving as Attorney General of Texas from 2002 until 2015.^[1] He defeated Democratic nominee Wendy Davis in 2014 and was reelected in 2018 and again in 2022.^[1] His third term has been characterized by the continuation of Operation Lone Star, a state-administered border enforcement initiative launched in coordination with the Texas Department of Public Safety, and by extensive legislative debates over education funding, property taxation, and school voucher policy.^[4]

The 2026 gubernatorial election will coincide with the federal midterm contests, including all seats in the United States House of Representatives and multiple statewide offices, circumstances that are expected to influence voter turnout patterns and party mobilization efforts.^[5]

Democratic primary[edit | edit source]

The Democratic primary will be held on March 3, 2026.^[1] As of October 2025, the field includes:

• Bobby Cole, retired firefighter and rancher from East Texas, emphasizing property taxes and public education.^[6]

• Gina Hinojosa, state representative from Austin, focusing on education and healthcare.^[7][8]

• Nick Pappas, retired U.S. Marine Corps veteran and community advocate from Texas, running on a platform emphasizing workers’ rights, infrastructure expansion, and restrictions on foreign ownership of residential property.^[9][10]

• Meagan Tehseldar, public-school teacher and disability-rights advocate whose campaign centers on inclusive education, housing assistance, and support for caregivers and families.^[11][12]

• Andrew White (Independent), businessman and son of former Governor Mark White; 2018 Democratic nominee runner-up.^[13][14]

Republican primary[edit | edit source]

The Republican primary will also occur on March 3, 2026.^[1] Candidates include:

• Greg Abbott (incumbent), serving his third term as governor, first elected in 2014 following his tenure as Attorney General of Texas from 2002 to 2015. Abbott’s administration has emphasized border enforcement through Operation Lone Star, property tax reduction, and education reform.^[1]

• Pete Chambers, retired United States Army lieutenant colonel, physician, and former Special Forces officer. Chambers’ campaign centers on state sovereignty, border security, veterans’ health, and “medical freedom,” referencing his opposition to federal vaccine mandates affecting service members.^[1][15]

• Ronnie Tullos, businessman, former state military officer, and Christian conservative activist. His campaign focuses on restoring “biblical values” in government, fiscal restraint, and expanding support for the Texas State Guard.^[1][16][17]

General election[edit | edit source]

The general election will feature the Republican and Democratic nominees, along with any qualified third-party or independent candidates.^[1] Texas does not have runoffs for gubernatorial elections; the candidate with the most votes wins.^[2]

Polling[edit | edit source]

No major polls have been released for the 2026 election as of October 2025, given the early stage of campaigning.^[3] Early forecasts rate the race with Abbott leading in hypothetical matchups.^[18]

Endorsements[edit | edit source]

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Predictions[edit | edit source]

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See also[edit | edit source]

• 2026 United States gubernatorial elections
• 2026 United States elections
• Political party strength in Texas

References[edit | edit source]